June 17, 2026, minutes

Present:
Brian Crandall, President
Joseph Lamanna, Vice President
Matthew Collis
Diann Fischer
Robert Mihevc
Scott Petucci
Aleksander Verenich

Landon Ploss, Ex Officio Student Board Member

Administration:
Nicole Crandall
Corenne Holmes
Maria Lindsay
Todd Manley
Michelle Ploss
Renee Vogt

Others Present:
Kathleen A. Carney, Superintendent of Schools
Chad Hess, Business Manager
Michele Gilbert, District Treasurer
Gina McKernan, District Clerk
Staff
Students
Members of the Community

The Board of Education regular meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in the Herkimer Middle-High School Media Center by Board President Brian Crandall and the Pledge of Allegiance was said.

Public Comment
None

Approval of the Agenda
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded a motion to formally approve the consent agenda as submitted.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

Board Recognized
Boys Varsity Track Recognition – Section III Class C-2 Championship

Approval of the Minutes
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Collis seconded a motion to approve the regular Board of Education meeting minutes from Wednesday, May 20, 2026, as presented.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

Approval of Financial Reports
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Mihevc, the Board approved the following financial reports:
• Treasurer’s Report – May 2026
• General Fund Warrant – May 2026
• HHS/HES Extra-Curricular Report – May 2026

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 6/17/2026

Change Order with Central Paving
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Mr. Collis seconded the following Board resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED that, upon the recommendations of its architect and construction manager, the Herkimer School District Board of Education approves a Change Order in the amount of $282,000.00 to the District’s contract with Central Paving, Inc. for the acceptance of Alternate SC-11 for the Athletic Complex Steeple Chase, bringing the total amount of the District’s contract with Central Paving, Inc. to $3,684,250.00, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the District’s Board President and/or Superintendent of Schools is authorized to execute the Change Order on behalf of the District.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 6/17/2026

Telecommunications Upgrade Plan

WHEREAS, the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District desires
to enter into a 5 year contract with the Madison-Oneida BOCES in order for the Mohawk Regional Information Center to furnish certain services to the District pursuant to Education Law 1950(4)@, those services being Broadband Telecommunications as defined on the attached sheet(s).

NOW, THEREFORE, it is

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District agrees to enter into a contract with the Madison-Oneida BOCES through the provision of said services to the District not to exceed $335.00 monthly, (Herkimer High School) plus any one time vendor installation costs, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of Education, for a period of 5 years, beginning on or about July 1, 2026, and ending on or about June 30, 2031.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 6/17/2026

Appointment of Ex Officio Student Board Members

Mr. Collis moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded to approve the following Board resolution:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education does hereby appoint Braysen Richard and Kaitlyn Tutty of the Class of 2027 as the Ex Officio Student Board Members for the 2026-2027 school year.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 6/17/2026

Appointment of Ex Officio Student Board Member at BOCES
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded to approve the following Board resolution:

Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education does hereby appoint Cambrin Kozma of the Class of 2027 as the Ex Officio Student Board Member at BOCES for the 2026-2027 school year.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 6/17/2026

Speech Language Therapy Agreement
Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Collis seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, Herkimer Central School District has the need for an independent contractor to perform speech language therapy services set forth herein and enters into such an agreement with Speech-Language Therapy of Central New York, LLC, and

WHEREAS it is the Districts desire to enter into this agreement from July 1, 2026, thru June 30, 2027, per terms and conditions of the agreement. “

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 6/17/2026
Kayla Lachut – Physical Therapy Agreement
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, Herkimer Central School District has the need for an independent contractor to perform physical therapy services set forth herein and enters into such an agreement with Kayla Lachut, and

WHEREAS it is the Districts desire to enter into this agreement from July 1, 2026, thru June 30, 2027, per terms and conditions of the agreement. “

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 6/17/2026

Carrie Caruso – Physical Therapy Agreement
Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Mihevc seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, Herkimer Central School District has the need for an independent contractor to perform physical therapy services set forth herein and enters into such an agreement with Carrie Caruso, and

WHEREAS it is the Districts desire to enter into this agreement from July 1, 2026, thru June 30, 2027, per terms and conditions of the agreement. “

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 6/17/2026

Funding of District Reserves
Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded to accept the following Board resolution:

“WHEREAS, section 3651 (1-a) of the Education Law allows a school board to establish a reserve fund to be known as the Tax Certiorari Reserve to be used for the purpose of paying judgments and claims from a tax certiorari proceeding, in accordance with Article 7 of the Real Property Tax Law; and

“WHEREAS, the Herkimer Central School District Board of Education desires to establish a Tax Certiorari Reserve to pay for anticipated liabilities from pending Article 7 cases:

“IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED, The Herkimer Central School District Board of Education hereby establishes a reserve to be known as the Tax Certiorari Reserve effective June 30, 2026, in the amount of $40,000.00, for the payment of tax certiorari judgments and claims resulting in challenges to the 2026 tax roll.”

“RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District does dissolve the tax certiorari reserve pertaining to the 2022 amount as required. The amount equaling $40,000.00 will be returned to unassigned fund balance of the General Fund as of June 30, 2026.

“RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District does hereby increase the Teachers Retirement System Reserve to the maximum allowable amount as calculated by the District’s Independent Auditors as of June 30, 2026.”

“RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District does hereby increase the Employees Retirement System Reserve to the maximum allowable amount as calculated by the District’s Independent Auditors as of June 30, 2026.”

RESOLVED, that the Board of Education of the Herkimer Central School District does hereby authorize the funding of the Capital Reserve Fund with the excess of 4% from unassigned fund balance on June 30, 2026, after the designated amount for tax reduction has been set. The allocation of such excess fund balance will be determined subsequent to June 30, 2026, and prior to setting the tax levy.”

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 6/17/2026

Disposal of Surplus Items
Mr. Lamanna moved, and Ms. Fischer seconded to accept the following Board resolution:

“WHEREAS the Herkimer Central School District owns the items listed on the Fixed Asset Inventory Contral sheet provided by Mrs. Olds and Mrs. Lemmon which are no longer useful or necessary for the school district’s purpose and are of no value to the Herkimer Central School District, and;

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Board of Education hereby declares those items to be surplus as they have no further value to the school district and authorizes the Business Office to inform the appropriate personnel to dispose of those items in the best interest of the school district.”

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 6/17/2026

Birnie Bus Transportation Extension
Mr. Mihevc moved, and Mr. Fischer seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby agrees to approve a one-year Transportation Contract Extension for the 2026-2027 school year with Birnie Bus Company in an amount not to exceed $1,945,000, and

THEREFORE, it is the Districts desire for the Superintendent of Schools and the Board President to sign the New York State Education Department extension forms.”

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 6/17/2026

2026-2027 Retainer Agreement – Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C.
Ms. Fischer moved, and Mr. Petucci seconded the following Board resolution:

“BE IT RESOLVED, upon the recommendation of the Superintendent of Schools, that the Board of Education hereby agrees to enter into the 2026-2027 Retainer Agreement with Girvin & Ferlazzo, P.C. as presented; and,

THEREFORE, it is the Districts desire for the Superintendent of Schools to sign the agreement on the Boards behalf.”

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file dated 6/17/2026

Ex Officio Student Board Member Report

Superintendent’s Updates

2026 Spring Sports Summary

Administrative Reports

CSE/CPSE Program/Placement Recommendations:
Upon the recommendation of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Petucci, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the Board of Education approved the Sub-Committee on Special Education and the Committee on Preschool Special Education program/placement recommendations as presented.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0
Material filed in the supplemental file 6/17/2026

Board of Education
• President Crandall stated the reorg along with the regular Board of Education meeting will be Wednesday, July 8 at 6 p.m. at the Middle-High School Library. Graduation is scheduled for Friday, June 26 at 6 p.m. at the Athletic complex or the Middle-High School gym depending on the weather.

On a motion made by Mr. Lamanna, seconded by Mr. Collis, the Board of Education entered into Executive Session for the purpose of issues pertaining to staffing leading to the appointment of individuals. The Board may take action in public session after the Executive Session ends, and the Board returns to public session.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

Executive Session:
The Board moved into Executive Session at 7:50 p.m.
The Board exited Executive Session at 9:05 p.m.

STAFFING RECOMMENDATIONS
Upon recommendations of Superintendent Carney, on a motion made by Mr. Collis, seconded by Ms. Fischer, the Board of Education approved the following personnel:

Amendment:
Shelley Kirkpatrick and Debra Knowlton –2026 Elementary Summer Enrichment Drama Teacher – Amend from 8 days to 12 days [BOE Meeting: 05-20-2026]

Teacher Resignation:

Name: Heuser, Madison
Position: Music Teacher
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: June 30, 2026

Name: Mathy, Richard
Position: Secondary Science Teacher
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: August 30, 2026

Name: Young, Hannah
Position: Third Grade Teacher
Location: Elementary School
Effective Date: June 29, 2026

2026 Middle School Step-Up Academy Teaching Appointments:
(Daily Rate equal to 1/200th of the 15th Step)
All teaching assignments are pending student enrollment; July 6, 2026 – July 23, 2026

NAME DAYS WORKED POSITION
Aimee Jacobs 13 Days Classroom Teacher
Cheryl Jory 13 Days Classroom Teacher
Leah Peyton 13 Days Classroom Teacher
Rachel Waseleski 13 Days Classroom Teacher

2026 Credit Recovery Program Teaching Appointments:
(Daily Rate equal to 1/200th of the 15th Step)

All teaching assignments are pending student enrollment; July 6, 2026 – August 13, 2026
NAME DAYS WORKED POSITION
Tekitha Posey 20 Days Classroom Teacher
Zachary Steele 20 Days Classroom Teacher

Teaching Appointments:

NAME: Sosnowski, Mari
TENURE AREA(s): K-12 Music Education
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT
OF PROBATIONARY SERVICE
IN EACH TENURE AREA
September 1, 2026
EXPIRATION DATE OF PROBATIONARY
APPOINTMENT August 31, 2030

To the extent required by the applicable provisions of Education Law Section 2509, 2573, 3213 and 3014, in order to be granted tenure, the classroom teacher or building principal shall have received composite or overall annual professional performance review ratings pursuant to Education Law 3012-d of either effective or highly effective in at least three (3) of the four (4) preceding years. If the classroom teacher or building principal receives an ineffective composite or overall rating in the final year of the probationary period, he or she shall not be eligible for tenure at that time. For purposes of this subdivision, classroom teacher and building principal mean a classroom teacher or building principal as such terms are defined in Sections 30-2.2 and 30-3.2 of the Part.
Effective September 1, 2026
SALARY Step 2 Per Herkimer Faculty Association Contract
(Pending NYS Certification)

Name: Meyer, Chanel
Position: .4 Spanish
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: September 1, 2026 – June 25, 2027
Salary: Step 7 (prorated) Per HFA Contract

Name: Steele, Alan
Position: .5 Driver’s Education Teacher
Location: Middle-High School
Effective Date: September 1, 2026 – June 25, 2027
Salary: Step 16 (prorated) Per HFA Contract

Summer Appointments:

Name: Larzelere, William
Position: Maintenance
Effective Date: July 1, 2026 – August 28, 2026 (Pending working papers)
Salary: $16.00/hr (up to 20 hours per week)

Name: Li, William
Position: Maintenance
Effective Date: July 1, 2026 – August 28, 2026 (Pending working papers)
Salary: $16.00/hr. (up to 20 hours per week)

Substitute School Psychologist:

Name: Goldman, Andrew
Position: School Psychologist
Effective Date: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027
Salary: Per Payment Guidelines for Substitutes

Teaching Tenure Appointments:

Name: Appley, Daniel
Location: Middle-High School
Tenure Area: Physical Education
Probationary Period: 08/31/2022 – 8/30/2026
Effective Date: August 31, 2026

Name: Palmer, Jordan
Location: Elementary School
Tenure Area: Elementary Education
Probationary Period: 08/31/2022 – 8/30/2026
Effective Date: August 31, 2026

Name: Johnson, Amanda
Location: Middle-High School
Tenure Area: Elementary Education
Probationary Period: 08/31/2022 – 8/30/2026
Effective Date: August 31, 2026

Name: Smith, Sarah
Location: Middle-High School
Tenure Area: Elementary Education
Probationary Period: 08/31/2022 – 8/30/2026
Effective Date: August 31, 2026

Name: Freeman, Jessica
Location: Elementary School
Tenure Area: Elementary Education
Probationary Period: 09/01/2023 – 8/31/2026
Effective Date: September 1, 2026

Name: Waseleski, Rachel
Location: Middle-High School
Tenure Area: Secondary English
Probationary Period: 09/01/2023 – 8/31/2026
Effective Date: September 1, 2026

2026-2027 Fall Interscholastic Coaching Appointment:*

Name: Steele, Zachary
Appointment: Varsity Football Head Coach
Salary: $4,475

Name: Appley, Daniel
Appointment: Varsity Football Assistant Coach
Salary: $2,650

Name: Steele, Tyler
Appointment: Varsity Football Assistant Coach
Salary: $2,650

Name: Luppino, Rocco
Appointment: Modified Football Head Coach
Salary: $2,390

Name: Richard, Ross
Appointment: Modified Football Assistant Coach
Salary: $2,185

Name: Richard, Stacy
Appointment: Varsity Cheerleading Coach
Salary: $2,390

Name: Nare, Jennette
Appointment: Girls Varsity Soccer Coach
Salary: $3,640

Name: Hawes, Abigail
Appointment: Girls Modified Soccer Coach
Salary: $2,185

Name: Holliday, Hunter
Appointment: Boys Varsity Soccer Coach
Salary: $3,640

Name: Beardsley, Sarah
Appointment: Varsity/Modified Cross Country Coach
Salary: $3,640

Name: Valerio, Logan
Appointment: Cross Country Assistant Coach
Salary: $2,340

Name: Nasypany, Robert
Appointment: Girls Varsity Tennis Coach
Salary: $2,390

• Conditioned upon a sufficient number of schools participating to merit a season with sufficient student participation to field a team

2026-2027 Fall Interscholastic Unpaid Coaching Appointments:
DePaolo, Christopher – Varsity Football Assistant Coach
Jenkins, Jacob – Varsity Football Assistant Coach (Pending fingerprint clearance and SED Certification)
Payne, Andrew – Varsity Football Assistant Coach
Petucci, Nicholas – Varsity Football Assistant Coach (Pending SED Certification renewal)
Steele, Alan – Varsity Football Assistant Coach
Watkins, Matthew – Varsity Football Assistant Coach
Hutton, Chelsea – Varsity Cheerleading Assistant Coach
Murphy, Lochlann – Varsity Boys Soccer Assistant Coach

Child Care Leaves:

Name: Freeman, Jessica
Position: Elementary School Teacher
Effective Date: On/About September 8, 2026
Anticipated leave approximately 6-12 weeks; pending physician’s release

Adjournment:
On a motion made by Mr. Collis, and seconded by Ms. Fischer, the Board of Education adjourned the public meeting at 9:07 p.m.

Ayes: Matthew Collis, Brian Crandall, Diann Fischer, Joseph Lamanna, Robert Mihevc, Scott Petucci, Aleksander Verenich
Nayes: 0
Abstained: 0

______________________                                                                                       
Gina A. McKernan
School District Clerk